I will be sharing the history of the Mai-Kai in images, interviews and video, at Tiki Oasis this year. Learn how what started in Hollywood with Don and traveled to Hawaii, and then stopped off in Chicago, eventually became the culmination of Tiki in Fort Lauderdale at the Mai-Kai.

For an added treat, we will raffle off the chance to receive the Mystery Ceremony live from Marina, the former Mai-Kai performer and current Mermaid!

On 2011-06-23 14:52, ZuluMagoo wrote:Swanky - Why are you doing this at Oasis and not at the Mai kai a few weeks ago during Hukilau?

I tried to do it last year, but it didn't work out. Maybe next year. I'd love to do a walking tour of the Mai-Kai as well, but there are a lot of details to something like that. We'll see if it can happen.

On 2011-06-24 06:34, jokeiii wrote:A walking tour of the Mai-Kai could be verrrrrry easily turned into an instant Hukilau tradition, culminating in an exhibition like this year's. It would be huger-than-huge.

It sounds great, but travel to and from the Mai-Kai, and you'd have to have a certain limited number per group. It would mean a lot of tours all day maybe. It just is a lot of details to try to manage.

Swanky, perhaps if you leave it up to the professionals of The Hukilau we can help you organize this for the event in 2012. I also wondered why Swanky would do this at Oasis rather than The Hukilau but he assures me it is to promote The Hukilau as well which we really appreciate Swanky!

So, let me know if you are actually serious about this symposium at The Hukilau next year and we will talk. As long as it's not interfering with other events we can work it in somehow.

And thanks again for promoting the East Coast's best Tiki event - The Hukilau!!
_________________Yee-Haw & Aloha,
Tiki Kiliki

The Mai-Kai story goes straight back to 1933 and a little place in California opened by Don the Beachcomber. Even in the 1950s when the Thorton brothers were planning the Mai-Kai, DtB and California figured prominently into their plans and lives, as well as Hawaii and the other Polynesian islands.

I'm glad Otto asked me to tell the story I have been researching as a fan for years. I hope those who have never been to the Mai-Kai will come and understand the importance of this place. And I hope those who have been will come and learn more about how it became what it is.
_________________"Mai-Kai: History & Mystery of the Iconic Tiki Restaurant" the book

I'm really looking forward to this !! I hope it's on Sat or Sun since I won't be able to make it to San Diego until Sat morning.

Here's an interesting fact that I read about in Jeff Berry's "Sippin' Safari" to make the Mai Kai presentation at Oasis even more significant, especially since Thursday's opening night is at the Bali Hai.

According to Jeff Berry, the Thornton brothers' first choice location for the Mai Kai was San Diego !! Because of the Bali Hai (and Luau Room at SD's Hotel Coronado), they opted for Fort Lauderdale instead.

It boggles the mind. Just think if the Bali Hai was never built, you might be enjoying Oasis opening night at the Mai Kai (in San Diego !!).

" I hope those who have never been to the Mai-Kai will come and understand the importance of this place. And I hope those who have been will come and learn more about how it became what it is. "

I should really think about going to Oasis, but then that means traveling and well...me and foreign locales. Dago is far, right?

Even for those that have been already, to learn more about the Grand Dame is definitely worthwhile. For those unlucky folk who have never been, the more one knows, the more one will want to see the Mai Kai in person. I used to think, "Meh, Mai Kai seems nice and all, but it's just another..." Then I went and learned why I should listen to some TC'ers more, as in, "we're stupid for not coming here sooner!"

"For an added treat, we will raffle off the chance to receive the Mystery Ceremony live from Marina, the former Mai-Kai performer and current Mermaid!"

Swanky's knowledge on the subject and chance for a Mystery Ceremony? Thats about as close to the Mai Kai one'll get without flying 1200 (sic) miles to Lauderdale! Sounds like a real winner.